Lethargic Crab

Rhoney · Post by **Rhoney** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 9:49 pm

Sorry to tell you, but he is either dying slowly, or atempting to shed his exo, mine shed theres liek this all the time, so just keep it dark, quiet and humid, nothing more you can really do. dont mist him or anything though. Leave him be with those conditions

Rhoney · Post by **Rhoney** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 9:50 pm

also, post purchase stress can be in effect until 4 or 5 months after the purchase.

hope I helped.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 11:09 pm

I don't think it is post purchase stress because the crab was happy and healthy for 2 months. Then all of a sudden it hit. If it is shedding its exoskeleton shouldn't it be buried? Why shouldn't I mist the crab? I've been misting the tank, which gets the crab wet. How will I know if the crab is dead? It is getting hard to tell at this point. I don't want to wait to the point where it starts to smell horrible.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Nov 07, 2007 12:03 am

Also, how will I know the crab is dead vs. shedding its exo?

Justin · Post by **Justin** » Wed Nov 07, 2007 12:05 am

Take a look at your crabbies eyes, are they kinda cloudy? and how about the tips of his wittle feet? Is it turning pale? Those are some signs of molting. I know it is wrong but if I were you i would just nudge him a tiny tiny bit and see if he responds.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Nov 07, 2007 1:17 am

the eyes are not cloudy. Looks normal.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Nov 07, 2007 2:06 am

Actually I took a much closer look and there is a single cloudy spot on one eye. If the crab is in fact shedding its exoskeleton, shouldn't it be buried?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Nov 09, 2007 11:23 am

Ideally he would be buried but some crabs do surface molts for whatever reason. I just had one molt and he was a bit on the surface so I took a small cardboard box (like what jewelry would come in), cut off one small side and gently placed the box on him so he would have darkness and wouldn't get bothered by anyone wandering on him.

I hope your crabbie makes it!